A pitaya or pitahaya
is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus
Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). These fruits are commonly known as dragon
fruit – cf. Chinese huǒ lóng guǒ "fire dragon fruit" and lóng zhū guǒ,
"dragon pearl fruit", Vietnamese thanh long meaning "sweet dragon",
Indonesian and Malaysian buah naga, "dragon fruit", Lao mark mang gohn
for "dragon fruit", and Thai kaeo mangkon "dragon crystal". Other
vernacular names are strawberry pear or nanettikafruit.
If not otherwise stated, this article's content refers specifically to the pitayas of Hylocereus species, or "dragon fruit".
The vine-like epiphytic pitaya-producing cacti of the genus Hylocereus are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Currently, they are also cultivated in East Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia (especially in western Java), Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and more recently Bangladesh. They are also found in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, northern Australia and southern China.
Hylocereus blooms only at night; the large white fragrant flowers of the typical cactusflower shape are among those called "moonflower" or "Queen of the Night". Sweet pitayas have a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. It is also grown as an Ornamental plant, used in gardens as a flowering vine, and a house plant indoors.
If not otherwise stated, this article's content refers specifically to the pitayas of Hylocereus species, or "dragon fruit".
The vine-like epiphytic pitaya-producing cacti of the genus Hylocereus are native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Currently, they are also cultivated in East Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia (especially in western Java), Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and more recently Bangladesh. They are also found in Okinawa, Hawaii, Israel, northern Australia and southern China.
Hylocereus blooms only at night; the large white fragrant flowers of the typical cactusflower shape are among those called "moonflower" or "Queen of the Night". Sweet pitayas have a creamy pulp and a delicate aroma. It is also grown as an Ornamental plant, used in gardens as a flowering vine, and a house plant indoors.
